AMSTERDAM – Louisville, Kentucky-based Papa John’s International Inc., opened its first store in the Netherlands, located at Rinjstraat number 60 in Amsterdam, on July 18. Papa John’s has plans to open over 100 restaurants in the Netherlands including two more this year.

Five UK Papa John’s master franchisees; Tony Kalsi, Prasoon Patel, Jitesh Patel, Jaspal Gill and Anil Patel, own and operate the store. Tony Kalsi is leading the venture.

"We look forward to introducing new customers in Amsterdam to our quality ingredients,” Kalsi said in a statement. “Our hand-tossed fresh original dough, fresh-packed tomato sauce and cheese made from mozzarella make a truly better pizza. We are excited to bring Papa John’s legacy of quality to the Netherlands and let customers taste for themselves why Better Ingredients make a Better Pizza."

Papa John’s recently enhanced its “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.” concept by announcing the use of chicken raised without antibiotics throughout its entire menu.

"Enjoying Papa John's pizza is a shared experience and brings people together all over the world," said Tim O'Hern, senior vice president and chief development officer of Papa John’s in a press release. "Quality is something that everyone understands and appreciates. People can taste the difference of Papa John’s quality ingredients and that is why customers continue to reward us with their business, and in turn, we’re able to expand into new countries and territories.”

The venture in Amsterdam marks the company’s continued expansion in Europe where it has more than 320 locations in the UK, four in Spain and its first in Northern France. It’s continuing to seek out new markets for potential franchises in other areas of France, Poland, Czech Republic and Belgium.